Arsene Wenger has come under intense scrutiny from fans and pundits in recent times. There are those who argue that Arsenal have become stale under his leadership and that he should leave once this current season ends. On the other hand, there are those who are sticking by him due to his consistency and his previous achievements with Arsenal which undoubtedly make him the greatest manager in the club’s history.
Despite this division, there is a clear consensus that if he stays or leaves after this season, Wenger’s time at Arsenal is coming to an end.
While it is more likely that he will stay at Arsenal for at least another season, it is obvious that Arsenal need to start planning, if they have not already, for a future without Arsene Wenger. Quite a few managers have been linked to becoming Arsenal manager once Wenger leaves, so it is an appropriate time to consider who the most likely successors are.
Thomas Tuchel
This is a name which has come to forefront very recently. Thomas Tuchel is the manager of Borussia Dortmund and he has become in the eyes of many to be the favourite to replace Wenger. In fact, it was recently reported that contact between Arsenal and Tuchel’s representatives have already taken place.
Tuchel has transformed Borussia Dortmund with his methods which are considered revolutionary.
Because of this, he is considered to be a very suitable replacement for Wenger who himself transformed Arsenal and English Football with his own methods and philosophy when he came to England in 1996. In this regard, Tuchel's appointment would parallel Wenger's.
Diego Simeone
In the time that Diego Simeone has been at Atletico Madrid, he has made a club that has always been in the shadow of Real Madrid into a Spanish powerhouse.
He won La Liga in 2014 and narrowly missed out on winning the Champions League in 2014 and 2016.
His no-nonsense and aggressive style of play at Atletico Madrid does contrast with the way that Arsenal play under Wenger but, if Simeone were to become manager of Arsenal, he would certainly shake things up and it could be beneficial to a club that some believe is in a bit of a rut.
Massimiliano Allegri
Massimiliano Allegri has proven himself to be capable of managing a big club, big players and winning titles during his time at Juventus and A. C. Milan. In addition to his domestic success, Allegri took Juventus to the Champions League final in 2015 and Juventus are considered dark horses in the Champions League this year.
Arsenal have not managed to get to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for a long time and Allegri’s track record in the Champions League, success in domestic competitions as well as his tactical nous could push Arsenal to the next level and make them a dominant force in British and European football once again.
Eddie Howe
While the majority of candidates are foreign, Arsenal could look to a domestic manager in the form of Eddie Howe, manager of Bournemouth.
Howe is a young manager who is well respected within British football for the astonishing job he has done by making Bournemouth, who not long ago were struggling in League Two, into a solid Premier League outfit.
While doubts linger about Howe’s ability to transition to a massive club such as Arsenal, his attractive style of play would fit very well with Arsenal. While a bold move, it could pay off in the long-term to appoint Howe.
